Bearing construction.



S. L. GOLDMAN.

BEARING CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED 0:01. 1914.

M 9 1 n0 1 V. O N d ,w n .w a D1 SIGMUND L; GOLDMAN, OF CHICAGO,ILLINOIS.

BEARING CONSTRUCTION Specification of'Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

Application filed December 1, 1914. Serial No. 875,049.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SIGM'UND L. GoLDMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at 1613 .Woodlawn avenue, Chicago, in the county of Cook andState of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in BearingConstruction, of which the following is a'specification.

My invention relates to improvements in conveyers, and more particularlyto a construction of bearing designed especially for use in connectionwith conveyer rolls for gravity conveyers; v i I The object of theinvention is to provide a simple and eflicient form of ball-bearingadapted for this service.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out inconnection with the following detailed description of a conveyer rollhaving a bearing constructed in accordance with the invention.

In the description reference will be had to the accompanying drawings inwhich Figure l is a side elevation of a gravity conveyer roll,angle-iron bearing supports being shown in section. Fig. 2 is anenlarged central section through one end of the roll shown in Fig. 1,the shaft being shown in elevation. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 ofFig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged section of the roll end and bearing shownin Fig. 2, the shaft being removed and the inner hearing member or conetilted to show the manner inwhich the bearing is assembled. Fig. 5 is acentral sectional View similar to Fig. 2 but showing a modifiedconstruction of the bearing.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 designatesthe floor or support which carries the angle-irons 11 in which theconveyer roll 12 is mounted. As best shown in Fig. 2, this roll ispreferably constructed as a hollow cylinder closed at I each end by theannular ball-race member or cup 13. I prefer to secure the cup withinthe end of the roll byspinning the metal of the latter into a groove ordepression in the outer surface of the cup as indicated at 14.

It will be understood, however, that other suitable securing means maybe used, it being essential, only, that the cup be held tightly inengagement with the roll.

According to my construction the bearing surface of the cup 13 is asphericalsurface, designated 15. The geometrical center of thisspherical surface lies on the axis of the cone or outer ball-race member13, but is displaced axially from the geometrical center of the cup soas to lie nearer to one face thereof than it lies to the opposite face.

The center of the spherical bearing surface 15, shownin Fig. 2,is'designated by the point 16 which, "as. will beseen, lies on the axis17 of the cup 13, but is displaced outwardly from the geometrical center18 of the cup so as to lie-nearer the outer face 19 than to the innerface 20. The result of this axial displacement is that the sphericalbearing surface 15 is unsymmetrical with relation to the cup thatis,-the opening in the cone is smaller in'diameter at the inner face 20than at the outer face 19.

To cooperate with the cup or outer bear- ,ing race member I havedescribed, I have provided a bearing cone or-inner race member 'in' theform of a member 21 having beveled or coned'ends '22, and acentralcylindrical portion 23 machined to form a ball-race or groove 24. In theparticular embodiment of the invention shown the ballrace or groove 24is of rectangular section, but it will be understood that the form ofthis groove may be varied within wide limits without affecting theoperation of the bearing. The outer end of the cone 21 is reduced andextended to form a neck 25,

and in the construction shown in Fig. 2 both the neck and the body ofthe cone are bored to receive the shaft 26 which passes completelythrough the roll and through both of the end bearings thereof andenters-the apertures 27 in the angle irons 11, being secured in place asby nuts 28 engaging the threaded ends 29 of the shaft 27. Between theinner faces of the an le-irons 11 and the ends of the roll 12 I pre erto insert theiannular collars or washers 30 which maybe fastened by. setscrews 30 These washers preferably have their inner faces beveled toprovide conical surfaces 31 which bear upon the conical surfaces 22-ofthe cone 21.

In assembling a conveyor having the rolls thereof provided with myimproved bearings, the bearing is first assembled complete within theroll in the following manner: The end of the cone 21 is introducedthrough the outer aperture of the cup 13; (it will be noted that theouter aperture of the cup is greater in diameter than the cone 21,although the inner aperture of the cup is smaller in diameter than thecone.) The cone having been introduced within the aperture of the cupitis tilted axially at an angle, as shown 'in F ig. 4, the edge of theneck 25' of the cone resting against the wall of the cup, and suitablebearing balls, designated 32, are introduced, as shown by the dottedline 33 in Fig. 4. It will be noted that in this tilted position of thecone the ball-race or groove therein lies in such a position as to, becompletely exposed at one point. As each bearing ball 32'. is introducedinto the groove or ball-race in the cone, it will, by gravity, rollaround to the lower pointof the race, 2'. 6., to the position shown at32 in Fig. 4 and in this manner. The ballrace or groove may becompletely filled with balls while the parts are in the position shownin Fig. 4. When a sufficient number of balls has been introduced intothe ball-race, the cone is tilted to assume its alined position, and inthis tilting action the balls 32 and 32 will swing in arcs along thespherical bearing surface of the cup 13 until they reach the positionshown in Fig. 2. It will be noted that in Fig. 4 I have shown thegeometrical center 35 of the ball-race member 24 as being slightlyoffsetrfrom the center 16 of the spherical bearing surface 15 in the cupThis offsetting is possible by reason of the fact that for my particularpurposes I desire that the bearing be somewhat loose, and accordinglythe cone is not restricted to an exactly circular or arcuate path intilting. It will be understood, however, that this offsetting ordisplacement of the cone with relation to the bearing surface of the cupis not essential to-the assembly of my device. Where the parts arefitted with great accuracy the motion of the cone might be limited toswinging through an are having its center coincident with the center 16of the bearing surface 15. Such limitation upon the movement of the conedoes not aflect the principles of operation of my invention, however, asit is perfectly feasible to assemble the bearing in precisely the mannerI have described without displacing the cone from its theoreticalcenter. As stated, however, for the purposes of the practical embodimentof the invention which I have disclosed, I find it convenient to use aloosely fitting bearing in which the displacement of the cone ispermissible. The bearingsat each end of the roll having been assembledin the manner described, the collars or washers 30 are next applied andthe roll introduced and temporarily supported between the angle-irons11. The shaft '26 may now be introduced and passed through the bores ofthe two cones, and the securing nuts 27 threaded upon the ends of theshaft. Since the angle-irons 11 have some slight give or flexibility itis possible to adjust the menace bearings by turning up the nuts 27 onthe ends of the shaft. Such screwing up of the end nuts flexes theupstanding portions of the angle-irons inwardly, and by means of thewasher 30 the cones 21' are forced inwardly toward one another. I preferto assemble the device in such a manner that there is aboutone-sixteenth of an inch clearance between the outer faces 19 of thebearings and the washers 30.

When constructed and assembled in the manner I have, just described, myhearing possesses numerous advantages'among'which the following maybeenumerated: The bearing is a true two-piece annular bearing withuninterrupted, continuous, race-ways, both external and internal, forthe balls. The bearing is a full bearing, that is, it may contain a fullcomplement of balls and no separator or retainer is necessary. This Iconsider one of the greatest advantages of my construction. The bearingis self-centering, that is, a radial load applied to the roller willcause the same to shift endwise until it automatically assumes theposition shown in Fig. 2 in which the balls are in contact with themaximum circumference of the spherical bearing surface 15. If the rollbe displaced in either direction from the position shown in Fig. 2 itwill, by virtue of the spherical bearing surface, automatically returnitself to the proper position. It will be noted also that the form ofthe bearing is such that it is capable ofv carrying both radial andaxial loads or any combination of these two in any direction. The'axialor thrust capacity of the bearing is limited however, as in all othertrue radial bearings, by the angularity of the raceways which tend toproduce wedging, and thereby dangerously overload the bearing. In thepreferred construction of my invention I prefer, for this reason, topermit the spacing collars or washers 30 to assume the greater portionof the thrust load. With this in view the bearing is constructed to havesufficient looseness so that the washers 30 abut against the inner-facesof the cups when any great thrust force comes into play. It will beunderstood in this connection that the plain thrust bearing afiorded bythe inner faces of the washers 30 might be replaced by any morecomplicated or expensive thrust bearing, roller. It will be furthernoted in this connection that the spacing washers or collars 30 whichform auxiliary thrust bearings in my construction also serve to protectthe bearing from the entrance of foreign matter, that is, serve to makeit dirt proof.

It may alsobe pointed out-that the bearing I have described is capableof being used as a brake. Thus, in gravity conveyer service it isfrequently desirable'to'be able to deaden or stop completely the actionof some such as a ball or operation of the bearing.

of the rolls in order to retard the motion of the article that is beingtransported. By merely. tightening up the nuts 27 the cones 21 may beforced inwardly until the balls wedge and completely or-partially lockthe roll. llhisv action, of course, tends to set up great strains in thebearing, and I therefore prefer to provide, as a a collar or washer 30of suflicient thickness so that the collar itself will bear against andfrictionally engage or look the roll before the bearings havebeenforced. inwardly sufliciently to seriously injure or destroy them.

It will be noted from Fig. 4 that in assembling or disassembling myhearing itis im possible for any of the bearing balls todrop. inside ofthe roll, the cone 21 so.-closely,

approaching the bearingsurface 15 at all points that it isimp'ossiblefor aball to escape from thegroove or race-way 24 except atthe upper part of the latter where it emerges from the outer face of thecu In assembling of disassembling a flight of conveyer rolls constructedaccording to my invention each roll may be handled as a unit, that is,may be placed in its position between the angle-iron supports merelyinserting the shaft 27 endwise. It is therefore possible to remove anyroll in the same manner for inspection or repairs without dismantlingthe flight.

In Fig. 5' I have shown a modified construction of my hearing in whichthe cone 21, instead of beingbored to receive the shaft 27, is formedsolid and provided with a threaded extension 36 on which is screwed thesecuring nut 37. This construction of the bearing is otherwiseidenticalwith theform shown in Fig. 2. It maybe noted, in connectionwith this form of the invention,

that it is necessary to provide slots, as at 38, in the upstandingportions of the channel sections. Fig. 5 has certain. among which mayadvantages, however,

:ment of the cones 21 without affecting the This is particularly usefulin connection with curved flights of conveyor rolls in which it isdifficult to get exact parallelism between'the supporting angles 11.With the construction shown in Fig. 5 it is not necessary to attempt tomaintain any great degree of accuracy. of the an le-irons. I i

s afurther refinement in the actual construction of my bearings I preferto provide a groove, as shown at '39, in of each cup. When thebearing isassembled, as will usually be done, in the vertical position, as shownin Fig. 4, a supply of balls may be held in troduced one at a .tim,einto the the cone.

race-way of matter of safety,

lying between the face-planes of the said The construction shown .in

V be mentioned the fact that it permits of a considerabledisalinetheouter face the groove 39 and iii-- While I have shown and described thebearing which forms the subject matter of my invention as being appliedto.a particular service, and have pointed out numerous advantages andrefinements of, construction which peculiarly adapt it for such service,

it will be understood that inits broader as tion, that this showing anddescription is illustrative only, and that I do not regard my inventionas limited .to the particular features of construction pointed out,except in so far as such limitations are included within the terms ofthe following claims in which it is my intention to claim all thenovelty inherent in my invention 'as broadly as the prior artwill-permit.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is 1. -Aball-bearing comprising an outer race-member having a spherical bauugsurface, the geometrical center of such surface race-member and nearerone face than the other, an inner race-member having a groovedball-retaining race-way therein, and a plurality of bearing ballsconfined within said grooved race-way and traveling on a great circle ofthe said spherical outer race-' member and serving to lock the sameagainst axial or radial displacement, .the parts being so. proportionedthat a section of the grooved race-way sufficiently large for theinsertion of a ball may be exposed. at one face of the bearing byaxialtilting of the in-- nor race member.

2. A ball-bearing comprising an outer race-member having a sphericalbearing surface, the geometrical center of such surface lying betweenthe face-planes of the said race-member: and nearer -one"face thereofthan theother, an inner race-member having a grooved ball-retainingrace-way therein, and a plurality of bearing balls confined within saidgrooved race-way and traveling on a great circle of the said sphericalouter race-member and serving to' lock the same against axial or radialdisplacement, the parts being so proportioned that axial tilting of theinner race-way member will expose the same at one face ofthe bearing forthe introduction of balls at one point.

. 3. A ball-bearing comprising an outer race-member having a sphericalbearing surface, the geometrical center of such surface lying betweenthe face-planes of the said race-member and nearer-to one face thereofthan the other, an inner race-member having a grooved ba1l-retainingrace-way there &

in and a neck extending outward from one face thereof, and a pluralityof bearing balls confined within said grooved race-way and traveling ona great circle of the said spherical outer race-member and serving tolock the same against axial or radial displacement, the parts being soproportioned that axial tilting of said inner race member limited bythesaidneck will expose the groove therein at the opposite face of thebearing for the introduction or removal of balls.

4. A ball-bearing comprising an outer race-member having a sphericalbearing surface, the geometrical center of such, surface lying betweenthe face planes of the said race-member and nearer to one face than tothe other, an inner racememberhaving a grooved ball-retaining race-waytherein, and a plurality of bearing-balls confined within said groovedrace-way and traveling on a great circle of the said spherical outerracemember and serving to lock the same against axial or radialdisplacement, the parts being so proportioned that a section of thegrooved race-way sufiiciently lar e for the insertion of a ball may beexpose at one face of the bearing by axial tilting of the innerracemember, and means removably mounted upon said inner race-member forpreventing such axial tilting of the said member.

5. A ball-bearing comprising an outer race-member having a sphericalbearing sur-' face, the geometrical center of such surface lying betweenthe face planes of the said race-member and nearer to one face thereofthan to the other, an inner race-member hav ing a grooved ball-retainingrace-Way there in and a neck extending outward from one face thereof, aplurality of bearing-balls confined within said grooved race-way andtraveling on a great circle of the said spherical outer race-way, andserving to lock the same against axial or radial displacement, the partsbeing so proportioned that axial tilting of the inner race-memberlimited by the said neck, will expose the groove therein at one face ofthe bearing for the introduction or removal of balls, and anannularcollar mounted on the said projecting neck and bearing againstthe face of the said outer race-member, to normally maintain the partsin operative position.

SIGMUND L. GOLDMAN. In the presence of- NELLIE B. DEARBORN, JOSEPHSCHWARTZ.

